Sean’s Story:
59- year-old family man Sean is living with stage 4 laryngeal cancer. This year he’s joining our Dickie Dip with a goal of raising awareness around this type of cancer, the importance of getting checked out when you don’t feel right… and, also, raising funds that will help those facing a similar battle in the future. We chatted with Sean and his wife, Fiona.
“About two years ago, I got Covid. For quite a while after it I just didn’t feel well. My breathing wasn’t right and I thought perhaps I had long Covid. This went on for about 6 months and eventually I saw an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialist… straight away he diagnosed cancer in the throat.
“I had that appointment on a Friday morning. By the afternoon I was in hospital and had surgery within two weeks. My diagnosis was confirmed as stage 4 laryngeal cancer… with tumours wrapped around the jugulars. Apart from the breathing, the only other symptom had been a sore or burning throat sensation, which I’d put down to acid reflux.
Sean undergoing treatment
“I got through the surgery pretty well, but unfortunately the cancer had already spread to my shoulder. To help with my breathing they decided to give me a tracheostomy in October last year and I went down the route of chemo and radiation for treatment.
“While having this treatment, they did a CT scan of my lungs and unfortunately found spots there… it was a stage 4 spread…and it was in my lymph nodes as well. Last December, we took a break from chemo and radiation to try immunotherapy but after seven months the nodules on the lungs had still gotten bigger. Last month, we started on the chemo again to try control the spread and prolong life…there is no cure for what I have.
“But, in many ways, I’m lucky. I never smoked, so didn’t have a build up of lung damage… I’m generally fairly fit… I’m not in pain… I’m not incapacitated. The side effects of the chemo are rubbish, but I can handle them. I’m so blessed that I can talk… and I still work part time, which is great for the mental health.
“A friend of mine passed away a little while back. Before he did he said to me – “I spent four years waiting to get better and did nothing. Don’t do that Sean.” – and I haven’t. If I’m having a good day, I fully embrace life. If I’m having a bad day… I’ll stay in bed. I want this cancer to be secondary in my life… I know that’s hard with the various treatments, but that’s my goal. I’m also aware that my mood drives the mood of the family, so I want to put my best foot forward… then at least they get to relax a little.
Sean and his wife, Fiona
Fiona tells us – “You just want to look after him, take care of him, make him more comfortable. We have 3 kids – one is 26 and living close by, one is 21 and living in Barcelona and we have a teen at home – and Sean is always aware of the impact on them. When we got the ‘good news’ of the change to immunotherapy treatment last Christmas, we all celebrated… Sean maybe less so… but he could see how relieved we were and it struck a chord with him. Right now, when he’s having a good day, I’m having a good day… and we’ll take the wins where we can.”
Sean has supported fundraisers for the Mater Hospital Foundation before and when he heard PJ and Jim on Radio Nova Breakfast talk about the Dickie Dip, he reckoned he’d give it a go.
“I can’t move very fast these days and the ‘trachy’ can’t get wet, but I’ll stroll in and stroll out and enjoy the experience. I’m sure I’ll feel the shock of the Irish Sea in just a dickie bow, and to be honest I’m praying for fog… so we have a little cover 😊. Family, friends and colleagues have been amazing in getting behind the fundraising… I’ll even have sponsorship on my chest and my back thanks to two local companies!
“I’m glad to leave some sort of a mark… I know the funds will really help… and the fact that they will have an everyday impact for someone receiving vital treatment in the future makes all the difference.”
Sean and Fiona Mahon, Maynooth, Co Kildare
There’s still time to join Sean and the rest of our Dippers in Skerries on Saturday, 16th November by signing up here: www.materfoundation.ie/dickiedip-register
Or, if you can’t make it, you can support our dippers here:
https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/campaign/The_Dickie_Dip_2024
Thank You 🧡
